A Boston College sports blog capturing the highs and lows of being a BC fan living 1,000 miles from Chestnut Hill.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A compromise for PeTA

PeTA won't let up on their protest of our live mascot and the media attention is growing. Nevermind that this is not actually BC's animal nor that the bird is cared for by trained professionals at a zoo, this protest will continue. PeTA is getting the attention they want and will probably not stop until BC backs down. I have no idea what BC will do, but I have two suggestions. And both might help in-game attendance.

1. Allow PeTA to do one of their famous nude protests right after the Eagle Walk. Ideally they would set up near one of the Stadium gates. This would certainly attract a bunch of gawkers, who once they see the fuss, might actually head to their seats.

2. Instead of the police clearing Shea before kickoff, have PeTA go around with cans of maroon paint to dump on fans. This is inspired by protesters who dump red paint on fur wearers, but I think it can work for BC. Most people wouldn't want to get splashed so they would head into the game. Those who ignore the warning would suddenly be covered in a school-spirit appropriate maroon. Wouldn't our fans look diehard if a few hundred were covered in paint? My only request is that PeTA test and make sure the paint is really maroon. We wouldn't want it to be red.

As someone who has spent years getting worked up about stuff other people find trivial or even pointless, I get PeTA's passion. If they don't like these ideas, maybe they will like my suggestion to allow the new live eagle to hunt rodents on the field as a halftime show!

I am usually pretty sympathetic to PeTa, but on this one, I don't think they did their homework. if I recall correctly, the eagle is from an animal rescue shelter (presumably PeTa is Ok with them?). Eagle hardly seemed petrified or scared at the last game. He seemed clam and in control, as an Eagle should be. Moreover having the live Eagle is a great educational device, which presumably PeTa is in favor of. The eagle is one tough hombre, not a source of pity. BTW: go to google news and see recent photos of an Eagle in Russia taking down a large deer. Now that is one bada**. Like our Ignatius.

PETA needs to get over themselves. No I didn't google search, but are they protesting LSU's tiger, or Army's mules, what about all the horses that are used by some of our opponents? Or what about all those house pets that will be forced to dress up for Halloween? A rescued eagle that is being handled by an appropriate trainer is really the least of the world's problems.

I attempted to have a polite conversation with Ms. Delcianna Winders of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals today to point out that the BC Eagle is used before games to promote wildlife awareness, professional handlers control the bird at all times, that the bird was not brought into the stadium during the opener, and it left after the national anthem in the second game. Before she hung up on me --literally -- I was able to express my displeasure with her suggesting our Jesuit university "flunked Ethics 101", and was able to ascertain that she has never actually visited Alumni Stadium. From what she told me, all she has done is reviewed pictures and the licenses of the handlers and facilities. It it sounds like they might have managed to get one of the licenses revoked. If any fellow alumni would like to express their views on BC's live eagle mascot to Ms. Winders, I was able to obtain what seems to be her cell phone from public lobbying records and would urge you to politely express your support for the University, the Athletic Department and the Athletic Director by calling her at:

Note: The following is LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe's response to a letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) dated May 22, 2007, regarding LSU's plans to obtain a tiger to replace Mike V which died last Friday.

Mike is a treasured member of the LSU family. There are 71 years of history behind Mike, and he represents the heart of our University.

LSU stands behind its treatment of its tigers. Their habitat and lifestyle are constantly monitored to ensure their well being, and they receive state-of-the-art veterinary medical care from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, which can improve and extend the life of a big cat. This is evidenced by the fact that Mike V lived to be 17 years of age. Two of LSU’s tiger mascots, Mike I and Mike III, lived 19 years, and Mike IV lived 20 years 9 months and 18 days. The average lifespan for a tiger in the wild is about 8-10 years. A tiger in captivity, like Mike V, can live 14-18 years.

Our mascots live in an excellent tiger habitat, far better than most found in zoos. Solitary animals by nature, tigers do not congregate in the wild, and due to the alarming state of their species in the wild – tigers are already critically endangered and their numbers continue to shrink – efforts to maintain the integrity of the species will need to be conducted in captivity. The current enclosure is large enough for Mike to express normal species-specific behaviors, including roaming his enclosure. Captive tigers do not have to fight and risk injury to establish and defend their territories, secure mates, or hunt prey. They are also safe from poachers and are not subject to common and debilitating viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.

Further, LSU is committed to the safe, responsible, and ethical care and handling of its tigers. Mike poses no danger to students, spectators at sporting events, visitors to his habitat, or the medical personnel who care for him. Contact is limited by strict order of the mascot’s trainer and veterinarian, as well as by policies established and enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture. During games, Mike is placed in a specially designed trailer. No persons are allowed to contact the tiger without a barrier between them and the tiger.

LSU’s tigers are treated with the love we give our mascots and all the respect we give wild animals. They are in no way inhumanely or cruelly treated, and their care and comfort are of the utmost importance to all members of the LSU community.

LSU has a federal permit to exhibit a tiger and abides by all animal welfare laws, regulations, and policies. The facility and care provided to LSU's Mike the Tiger exceed federal standards. Finally, it should be noted that LSU, in line with the University’s educational function, is in the process of developing a state-of-the-art tiger education center to educate the public about global conservation issues. The presence of a live tiger will augment the educational impact of the center. Thus, the presence of Mike VI on campus will move the mascot program into a greater educational role than was possible with previous tigers.

The School of Veterinary Medicine has already received dozens of offers for a new cub. We will not take a tiger cub from its mother; we will obtain a cub that has been weaned. And, LSU absolutely will not purchase a tiger from a private breeder, as we do not want to encourage irresponsible breeding of tigers. Dr. David Baker* will assess all offers and will also seek candidates through a list of established contacts, primarily zoos.

Again, thank you for writing. I hope that I have addressed some of your concerns.